]]>By: artisan3mhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/comment-page-2/#comment-517726
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 21:36:28 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517726What was more dumb in the Cardinals’ dugout than in the Rangers? Same field, same umpires, same time zone ~ so the start was rain delayed. It was for both teams ~ ~ equally. The Cards are a darned good club. Their record confirms that. But for the last three nights the Rangers were better and the scoreboard confirms that. Neither team gained an advantage by the delay. I suppose if the Rangers win the series with them next week, the big beat writers will lay it off on “home field advantage.”
]]>By: APBA Guyhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517640
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:09:24 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517640Brian Sabean.
]]>By: historiophiliachttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517554
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:44:04 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517554I’m a little shocked that OG is so defensive about basketball.
]]>By: Old Gatorhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517448
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:12:26 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517448Ah, and just for you Brav, here’s a great link to live coverage of today’s Heat victory parade, where you can watch hundreds of thousands of awful fans celebrating their asses of:

]]>By: Old Gatorhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517411
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:42:39 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517411Who would Beane give us for Nolasco?
]]>By: Old Gatorhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517406
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:39:06 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517406And he’s going to have to answer to the CocaCola company for it, too.
]]>By: Old Gatorhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517399
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:36:39 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517399They may be the worst, but they’re out there in the heat and drizzle on Biscayne Boulevard today having the time of their lives.
]]>By: APBA Guyhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/06/24/and-that-happened-sundays-scores-and-highlights-96/#comment-517387
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:25:32 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=475519#comment-517387The A’s are 2-5 on their road trip, and last night was a good example of losing. First: Raauuullll. Wow. That second home run was a six-iron from the ankles, just dropping over the fence. I imagine he stuck it with a good chance at birdie (golf reference especially for one Senor O. Gator.). The 41 year old has 17 homeruns this year. Amazing.

But the A’s battled back to tie. Unfortunately, their bullpen has been sloppy lately, and so has their defense. In the 10th, Mike Zunino swung and missed yet again (he must have had 10 of those yesterday) but the ball eluded Jaso. This is not news. The Rays and even Seattle let Jaso go despite his .390 OBP after watching his liberal interpretation of the duties of catching. Jaso, seeking to affirm the Mariners decision to allow him to depart, recovered the ball and would have had Zunino at first with a good throw. But in his New Wave homage to the epic “Dodgeball”, Jaso threw it at Zunino. Of course, Jaso being Jaso, the ball missed Zunino by passing through the runner’s legs. Zunino safe at first, Morales pinch hits, one pitch later the game is over.

We’ve discussed the A’s middle-infield issues before. Another problem the A’s have is that the catching platoon of Norris and Jaso assumes a basic competency. Unlike the old Orioles catching platoon of Etchebarren and Elrod Hendricks, the current A’s platoon is unbalanced. Jaso is an on-base marvel but can’t catch and can’t throw. Norris is classically good as a defensive catcher, but his offense is more Brendan Ryan-esque. The key is to have Norris finish games, but this only works if the opposing team starts a right-hander and Jaso isn’t hurt.

Speaking of catchers, Zunino addresses the same problem that existed with the Mariners: Montero is no catcher. Zunino is, but he is clearly not ready to face ML quality breaking stuff. Trouble is Montero also forgot how to hit, so he’s at AAA.

Still, the bigger issue for the A’s is the 2-5 road trip with Cincy coming up at home. The G & P Beane has some tinkering to do, sooner rather than later, please.